Functions of the Circulatory System Deliver needed materials, such as oxygen and glucose, to the cells of the body. Remove waste products, such as carbon dioxide, from the cells. Fighting diseases by transporting white blood cells throughout the body.

Red Blood Cell Nerve Cells: Nerve cells, or neurons, look different and have different functions from red blood cells. They carry and transmit messages, acting as telephone wires. Some of these cells may reach 2 meters long!

RBC Function: Carry oxygen from lungs to body and carbon dioxide away from body, back to lungs. The oxygen binds to hemoglobin.

White Blood Cell Nerve Cells: Nerve cells, or neurons, look different and have different functions from red blood cells. They carry and transmit messages, acting as telephone wires. Some of these cells may reach 2 meters long!

WBC Function: Find and destroy disease causing organisms. There are 3 major types of WBC. Ones that identify the invaders. Others that ingest invaders. And ones that have multiple nuclei to build immunity.

Platelets Nerve Cells: Nerve cells, or neurons, look different and have different functions from red blood cells. They carry and transmit messages, acting as telephone wires. Some of these cells may reach 2 meters long!

Platelets Function: Fragments of red blood cells that help form blood clots. Produce fibrin, a material that creates a web to trap blood cells.

Plasma: The liquid portion of blood – 90% water & 10% glucose/fat /vitamins/minerals

Homeostasis Ideas for the Circulatory System: Any of the blood cells (assuming you didn’t use these for the skeletal system). Temperature regulation Blood pressure Heart Rate `

Capillary Epithelial Cells Connective Tissue Smooth Muscle Valve Epithelial Cells Lumen Artery Vein

Arteries: Function: carry blood away from the heart Relationship of Structure to Function: Walls are strong and flexible, allowing them to withstand high blood pressure.

Capillaries Function: where materials are exchanged between the blood and body cells Relationship of Structure to Function: Thin walls allow for the diffusion of nutrients and wastes.

Veins Function: carry blood to the heart. Relationship of Structure to Function: The thin walls allow skeletal muscles to push blood back to the heart.